Contents

History

Early Life

Celebrimbor followed his grandfather into exile, though little is said of his deeds during the First Age. His unnamed mother remained in Valinor. He probably fled to Nargothrond after the Dagor Bragollach. However, he took no part in the deeds of Curufin and Celegorm regarding Lúthien, Beren, and Finrod. He even repudiated his father's deeds and did not follow him when the two brothers were cast out from Nargothrond by Orodreth. After the destruction of Nargothrond, Celebrimbor lived for a time in Gondolin, where he was great jewelsmith for King Turgon. He may have created the Elessar of Eärendil, though other accounts name Enerdhil as the Master Jewelsmith and creator of the Elfstone, who perhaps taught Celebrimbor this art.

During the Second Age, he was lord of the elves of Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion. He was also the head of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, a guild of elven craftsmen. They skill was so reknowned that they gained the admiration and friendship of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Together with the dwarf Narvi, Celebrimbor crafted the Doors of Durin that guarded the West-gate of the Dwarven kingdom.

The Rings of Power

Around Second Age 1200 a mysterious craftsman arrived at Ost-in-Edhil offering his knowledge to the Gwaith-i-Mírdain. This was Sauron, in the guise of Annatar the "Lord of Gifts", who had come to subvert and destroy the elves.

Under the guidance and instruction of Annatar, Celebrimbor and the Gwaith-i-Mírdain made sixteen rings: seven for the Dwarves, and nine for Men. And Celebrimbor created the three Rings of the Elves, the greatest and fairest of the Rings of Power. These rings were thus free of Sauron's corrupting influence, for only Celebrimbor himself touched them. Celebrimbor named the rings Vilya, Narya, and Nenya after the principal Middle-earth elements of air, fire, and water, respectively.

At this time, Sauron was secretly forging the One Ring in Orodruin, which would enable him to rule Middle-earth by claiming dominance over all the Rings of Power and their bearers. Celebrimbor and the elves defied Sauron by withholding the other rings from him. Sauron retaliated by attacking Eregion, laying waste to the realm. Celebrimbor was killed in the sack, and the Rings of Men and Dwarves were taken. He had already sent the three rings away for safekeeping: Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad in Lindon, and Nenya to Galadriel in Lothlórien. Sauron captured the lesser rings and used them as instruments of evil in later years, particularly against Men. Celebrimbor died from his torment, the last direct descendant of the line of Fëanor.